Partition tray



NOV. 15, 1955 G V, MALMGREN 2,723,796

PARTITION TRAY Filed Nov. 8, 1952',1 5 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

Nov. 15, 1955 G. v. MALMGREN PARTITION TRAY 3 Sheets-Sheet y.2

Filed Nov. 8. 1952 y INVENTOR. 560/' e ./)a/ rem, BY L7 y fin.

Nov. l5, 1955 V, MALMGREN 2,723,796

PARTITION TRAY IN V EN TOR.

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mwgw@ United States Patent O PARTITION TRAY George V. Malmgren, Chicago, lll.

Application November 8, 1952, Serial No. 319,469

7 Claims. (Cl. 229-42) The invention relates to partition trays for packaging and holding merchandise in an outer transparent wrapper and has reference in particular to a partition tray for packaging bakery products, such` as cakes and cookies, and wherein the tray is of such design that it can be blanked out from a single sheet of material'and then of the tray is speeded up and in addition the loaded tray can be easily inserted in the cellophane bag. It accordingly follows that the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved partition tray of simple design, a tray that can be blanked out from a single sheet of material and easily folded into shape,

and a tray which will give adequate support to the cookies, cakes or other bakery products placed on the tray.

Another object of the invention is to provide a partition tray for packaging cookies and similar bakery products which will properly position the said products and retain them erect for the best display, which will protect the said products against breakage, and a tray which will embody improved design features producing a strong and rigid article when in folded, completed form.

A further object of the invention resides in a partition tray having bottom portions providing side panels and a transverse panel, and wherein said panels interengage when they are folded to complete the tray. In combination with the foregoing structure the present tray embodies side aps which are formed from material having location between the bottom portions and the side panels when in blank form, and which are bent upwardly at right angles to the bottom portion in the formation of the completed tray.

Another object is to provide a tray for the purposes described wherein the bottom portions are provided with side flaps which materially improve the supporting function of the tray and which side iiaps can be grasped by the operator during the packing of the tray and which also assist in the operation of inserting the loaded tray in the cellophane bag;

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain Anovel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodimentv of the invention, and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts-v Figure 1 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank em- The products are rice 2. bodying improved design fea-tures and which when folded into shape produces the tray of the invention;

`Figure 2 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank illustrating the design of a modified form of tray coming within the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tray in foldedl and completed form, the same embodying the features as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a folded tray showing the structural details thereof, the section being taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a transparent cellophane bag containing cookies and which are retained in packed relation by the partition tray of the invention;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a scored blank showing another modification of the present partition tray;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a scored blank illustrating still another modification;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank which when folded produces another modied form of tray; and

Figure l0 is a perspective view of the tray produced by the blank of Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figure l, the sheet or blank 10 is substantially rectangular in shape and the same consists of foldable paper, cardboard or heavy craft paper which when formed into a partition tray will adequately protect the products supported thereby. The said blank is provided with a plurality of scored lines `and cut lines to form panels or partitions when the same is folded into a tray and which partitions provide a plurality of compartments or divisions which hold the bakery products in the desired manner. In .accordance with the invention the cut or scored lines are so related to each other as to form a plurality of transverse panels, side panels and side flaps, all of said elements having foldable connection to the portions of the blank which remain and which may be termed bottom portions since they constitute the base of the tray and provide supporting ledges for the bakery products.

The cut lines 12 and 14 extend transversely of the blank approximately centrally thereof and said lines are joined by the cut lines 16 and 13 extending along respective side edges to form the transverse panels 20 and 22. With respect to panel 26, the cut lines 24 complete the side edges of said panel and in a somewhat similar manner the diagonal lines 26 complete the side edges of panel 22. The panels alternate with the bottom portions identified by numerals 28, 3i) and 32. Each panel is foldably connected to the bottom portion by a scored line. For example, the transverse panel 2l) is foldably connected to the bottom portion 20 by the scored line 34, whereas transverse panel 22 is foldably connected to bottom portion 32 by the scored line 36.

The side panels of the present tray are formed from material extending along respective side edges of the blank. The cut lines 38 and 40 form the side panel 42 and in a similar manner the cut lines 44 and 46 form the side panel 48, each side panel being foldably connected to the front and rear bottom portions by means of scored lines. At the front end of the blank the scored lines Si) foldably connect the side panels to the front portion 23, whereas at the rear the scored lines 52 foldably connect the side panels to the rear bottom portion 32.

The blank of the invention is additionally cnt and s cored to provide sideaps such as 54 and 56. Each side flap is formed from the material of the blank which lies between the. side panels and the transverse panels.l By

:means 'of the scored lines such as 58 the side 'flapsjare foldably connected to the bottom portions 28, 30 and'SZ.

It will be observed that each side panel is provided with a tongue such as 60 which is formed from material of the adjacent side flap, the said tongues functioning as stops to limit the folding of the transverse panel 20 whereby when said panel engages the tongues it will be standing upright at right angles to bottom portion 30. The transverse panel 22 is folded upright in a similar manner but instead of tongues being provided therefor the said panel is folded into contact with the rear legs of the side panels which function as stops, properly position ing said transverse panel.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the folded and completed tray produced by the cut and scored blank of Figure l. In folding the tray into the form as shown in Figure 3 the side panels 42 and 48 are iirst folded upwardly along the fold lines 50 and 52. Since these fold lines are located inwardly of the side edges of the transverse panels, it will be understood that the side panels when thus folded overlie the transverse panels. The next o-peration is to fold said transverse panels into their upright position, whereupon panel 20 is folded along line 34 and panel 22 is folded along line 36. Because of the interengaging connection which the transverse panels have with the side panels, the slits 62 are provided in the transverse panels, each slit having a widened V-shaped mouth or opening whereby to facilitate the reception of the side panels which fit into the slits, thus retaining the transverse panels in upright folded relation and which thus form the folded tray into the desired compartments.

Side aps 54 and 56 are also folded upwardly so as to have a right angle relation with the bottom portions to which they are hingedly connected. The side flaps accordingly extend longitudinally on both sides of the completed tray, and the side flaps in addition to having a retaining function as regards the bakery products supported by the tray, are also available to be grasped by the operator in loading the tray and in inserting the loaded tray into the cellophane bag, as shown in Figure 6, which will now be described.

In said figure the partition tray, which is loaded with cookies, is shown located within a transparent cellophane bag which is sealed at its forward end. The tray has a number of desirable advantages in the dispensing of bakery products. When loaded or filled with cookies and encased in a transparent cellophane bag the package is reinforced by the tray which has considerable strength and rigidity for supporting the cookies, and which are positioned or held erect for their best display. Also added protection is provided by the tray, which materially lessens and to a certain extent may practically eliminate breakage of the cookies. Also the tray makes it easier to pack or load the cookies which can then be easily inserted by the operator into the bag, and additionally, the tray facilitates handling of the package thereafter by the customer or purchaser.

The partition blank as shown in Figure 2 is similar in all basic respects to the blank of Figure 1 with the exception that the blank provides four transverse panels instead of two. The transverse cut lines 111, 112, 113 and 114 in combination with the longitudinally cut lines 115, 116, 117 and 118 form the transverse panels 119, 129, 121 and 122. The additional cut lines 124 for each panel complete the formation of the same and it will be observed that each transverse panel is foldably connected to a bottom portion by means of a scored line. As illustrated, panel 119 is foldably connected to bottom portion 129 by means of the scored line 133; transverse panel 120 is foldably connected to bottom portion 130 by the scored line 134; transverse panel 121 is foldably connected to base portion 131 by scored line 135; and panel 122 is foldably connected to the base portion 132 by the scored line 136.

The material along the side edges of the blank, as shown in Figure 2, forms the side aps 154 and 156, and the side panels 142 and 148. The fold lines 150 and 152 foldably connect the side panels to the front and rear bottoni portions, namely, 128 and 132, and fold lines 158 foldably connect the side flaps to the bottom portions, and the tongues provide stops for the transverse panels when the parts of the blank are folded to form the completed tray, all in a manner as described with respect to the blank of Figure l.

In Figure 7 the blank is similar in all respects to the blank of Figure 1, with the exception that the top corners of the transverse panels are rounded, and with the further exception that the cut lines 226 instead of being diagonal are arcuate, being directed inwardly so as to increase the surface area of the rear bottom portion 232.

The modification of Figure 8 is likewise similar in basic respects to the blanks of Figures 1 and 7, there being provided cut lines and scored lines to form a pair of transverse panels, side panels at the respective sides of the tray, and side aps on respective sides of the bottom portions. In this modification the transverse panel 322 has a fold line 336 which extends for the full length of the panel. Also the tongues have a modified shape and it will be observed that the same are formed as projections on the side flaps to thus provide arcuately shaped recesses along the bottom edge of the side panels. The recesses accordingly provide stops for holding their respective transverse panels in erect position. The tongues 359 are disposed on respective side flaps and in alignment with the fold line 334, and in a similar manner the tongues 361 form projections on the side flaps, the same being aligned with the fold line 336. In all respects the modication of Figure 8 is the same as previously described, and when the parts of the blank are folded, a tray is formed providing the same partitions and compartments as provided by the tray of Figure 3.

ln the partition tray of Figures 9 and l0 the transverse panels and the side panels provide substantially square compartments when in folded relation, each compartment being adapted to receive a bakery product and which is adequately supported by the bottom portion of the tray and protected against damage by the side and transverse panels and by the side flaps. The tray is shallow, having considerably less depth than the tray shown in Figure 3, the said shallow characteristics resulting from the double fold in the legs of the side panels.

Referring more particularly to the blank 400 of Figure 9, the cut lines 412, 413 and 414 are joined by cut lines 416, 417 to form the transverse panels 420, 421 and 422, the panels alternating with the bottom portions 428, 430, 431 and 432. The transverse panels are each foldably connected to a bottom portion by a scored line, namely, 434, 435 and 436, respectively. The cut lines 438 and 44) form the side panel 442 and similar cut lines 444 and 446 form the side panel 448. Each side panel is foldably connected to the front and rear bottom portions by fold lines 450 and 452. Additional fold lines 453 provide for the double fold in the legs of the side panels and which reduces the height of the side panels when in folded relation with said bottom portions. The side aps 454 and 456 are foldably connected to all four bottom portions by the scored lines 458. Each side ap includes tongues 460 which are cut out of the material of the side panels. The resulting recesses in the side panels provide stops with which the transverse panels engage to position the transverse panels in upright relation at right angles to their bottom portions. lt will also be observed that each transverse panel is slotted at 462 and the slots receive the side panels so that the panels interengage and this coaction of the parts maintains the tray in folded relation.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings as various other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A partition tray blank comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of foldable paper, said sheet having a plurality of cut lines and scored lines therein and which are arranged with respect to each other to form a plurality of transverse panels, side panels having front and rear leg portions, and side flaps, the remainder of the sheet providing bottom portions located at the' front edge and rear edge of the sheet and alternating with the transverse panels longitudinally of the sheet, the transverse panels each being foldably connected to a bottom portion along a transverse scored line, each side ap being foldably connected to all the bottom portions along scored lines longitudinally of the sheet and which com prise the end edges of the bottom portions, whereby the transverse panels are coextensive in length with the bottom portions, the front and rear leg portions of the side panels being foldably connected to the front and rear bottom portions respectively by scored lines extending longitudinally of the sheet, and a second scored line in each leg portion, permitting a double bend in the leg portions in the formation of the tray.

2. A partition tray blank as defined by claim l, wherein the second scored line in each leg portion extends longitudinally of the sheet and comprises an extension of the top edge of its adjacent side flap, and additionally including a plurality of tongues integral with each side flap, said tongues being equal in number to the transverse panels and providing stops in the side panels with which the transverse panels engage when the panels are folded into an upright relation in the formation of the tray.

3. A partition tray blank comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of foldable paper, said sheet having a plurality of cut lines and scored lines therein and which are arranged with respect to each other to form a plurality of transverse panels, a pair of side panels having front and rear leg portions, and a pair of side flaps, the remainder of the sheet providing bottom portions located at the front edge and rear edge of the sheet and alternating with the transverse panels longitudinally of the sheet, the transverse panels each being foldably connected to a bottom portion along a transverse scored line, the side flaps and the side panels being formed from the material extending longitudinally along the side edges of the blank, and each side llap being foldably connected to all the bottom portions along scored lines longitudinally of the sheet, said longitudinal scored lines forming the end edges of the bottom portions, whereby the transverse panels are coextensive in length with the bottom portions, the front and rear leg portions of the side panels being foldably connected to the front and rear bottom portions respectively by scored lines extending longitudinally of the sheet, the last mentioned scored lines being disposed inwardly of the side flaps toward the longitudinal center of the blank so that the side panels overlie the transverse panels when the parts are bent into upstanding relation.

4. A blank for forming a partition tray, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of foldable paper, said sheet having a plurality of cut and scored lines therein and which are arranged with respect to each other to form a plurality of transverse panels, side panels and side aps, the portions of the sheet remaining and which alternate with the transverse panels constituting bottom portions of the tray when the same has been folded into completed form, the side flaps being foldably connected to all the bottom portions by certain longitudinal scored lines, a side panel extending the full length along each side edge of the blank and each side panel being foldably connected to certain of the bottom portions by other longitudinal scored lines, said other longitudinal scored lines having location adjacent the respective ends of the side iaps, and the transverse panels each being foldably connected to a bottom portion respectively by transverse scored lines and which extend normal to the scored lines for the side ilaps.

5. A blank for forming a partition tray, comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of foldable paper, said sheet having a plurality of cut lines and scored lines therein and which are arranged with respect to each other to form a plurality of transverse panels, side panels and side flaps, the portions of the sheet remaining and which alternate with the transverse panels constituting bottom portions of the tray when the same has been folded into completed form, the side aps being foldably connected to all the bottom portions by certain longitudinal scored lines, a side panel extending the full length along each side edge of the blank and each side panel being foldably connected to the front and rear bottom portions at locations spaced with respect to the side aps inwardly toward the longitudinal center of the blank, and the transverse panels each being foldably connected to a bottom portion respectively by transverse scored lines and which connect with and extend normal to the scored lines for the side liaps, whereby the transverse panels are equal in length to the length of the bottom portions.

6. A partition tray comprising a plurality of transverse panels, side panels and side flaps, all foldably connected to bottom portions which comprise the remainder of the tray, the said side aps and side panels constituting material of the tray extending the length of respective side edges of the tray, the said transverse panels being foldably connected to certain bottom portions by transverse fold lines, the side flaps being foldably connected to all the bottom portions by longitudinal fold lines, the side panels being foldably connected to the front and rear bottom portions only by longitudinal fold lines and which fold lines have location adjacent respective ends of the side flaps, being disposed inwardly thereof toward the longitudinal center of the tray, the side and transverse panels being folded from a co-planar relation with their bottom portions to an upstanding right angular relation, whereby the side panels overlie and are adapted to have interconnecting relation with the transverse panels, and said side iiaps also being folded into a right angular relation with the bottom portions whereby to form side anges for the tray.

7. A partition tray comprising integrally connected transverse panels, side panels, side flaps and bottom portions, the said side flaps and side panels constituting material of the tray extending the length of respective side edges of the tray, the transverse panels having been folded into opstanding right angular relation with the bottom portions on fold lines extending transversely along the side edges of their bottom portions, the side panels being foldably connected to the front and rear bottom portions on longitudinal fold lines located inwardly of the ends of the transverse panels, whereby the side panels when folded into upstanding right angular relation overlie the transverse panels and are adapted to have interconnected relation therewith, and the side flaps being disposed on respective sides of the tray and being foldable into right angular relation with the bottom portions on fold lines delining the ends of the bottom portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,205,157 Schrell June 18, 1940 2,410,486 Evans Nov. 5, 1946 2,533,738 Moore Dec. 12, 1950 2,545,803 Bergstein Mar. 20, 1951 2,584,967 Watson Feb. 5, 1952 

